Tortoise Shell Plate

Tortoise Shell Plate

South, Stanley A.

Archaeology.

Wachovia (N.C.)--History.

Artifacts.

Pottery.

Moravians.

Christ, Rudolph, 1750-1833.

In 1771, William Ellis arrived in Bethabara and offered to teach Gottfried Aust how to make English-style “Queensware” and “Tortoise-shell” pottery in exchange for clothing and lodging. Ellis had been the superintendent of John Bartlam’s China Manufactory and Pottery in Charleston, SC. Aust chose to produce the more traditional wares he had been doing, while his apprentice Rudolph Christ went on to master the new English-style pottery. Christ operated his pottery shop in Bethabara from 1786-1789.

This style of pottery was considered fine pottery. It was made using a mold rather than thrown on a wheel. The finished redware form had white slip applied, then splotches of green and brown to produce the tortoise shell finish.

This plate was recovered from feature B55, Christ’s Waster Dump #2. It is labeled B55-C9-1-56 on the back in black ink.

Dimensions: 7” dia., .875” tall

Christ, Rudolph, 1750-1833

1786-1789

Physical Object

JPEG

2018.2.26

OC2-Historic Bethabara Park Archaeology Collection Exhibit

Historic Bethabara Park Archaeology Collection

Stanley South Manuscript Collection Box – Folder 4-62

Stanley South Manuscript Collection Box – Folder 8-21

Rights held by Historic Bethabara Park, Inc. Use and reproduction restrictions apply. Contact Historic Bethabara Park Archives.

Photographer: Daniel Ferguson

Historic Bethabara Park, Inc.